Breakfast at Villa Barberina included fresh figs from the estate and jams made by Annalisa
Walking around the Villa Barberina estate in the early morning, I ran into Primo Franco, the owner, and his grandson. Primo introduced his grandson as “Generation Five” and a future winemaker. The Franco’s are a lovely couple who consider themselves blessed to have had the opportunity to acquire Villa Barberina.
Primo Franco and the fifth generation future winemaker
The very gracious Annalisa Franco of Villa Barberina
After our breakfast at the Villa Barberina, Primo suggested we drive west out of Valdobbiadene on Sunday to tour the small town of Asolo and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Villa di Maser. So we did.
The very narrow streets of Asolo
All the roads in this area are beautiful and a great practice course for autocross. The small town of Asolo is mostly single lane, with a signal light and timer at each end to control the traffic. It seems to work for everyone except the bicycles. It appears nearly suicidal to ride bicycles on these small twisting roads – too narrow for two cars and a bike – but they are all over.
When we arrived, the Asolo square was full of motorcyclists
The bikers soon geared up and roared out of town
When we first arrived in Asolo, the square was filled, really filled, with joy riding motorcyclists. It must have been a quick espresso stop, as they soon throttled up and left en masse. We strolled the town after the departure of the bikes. It may be a tiny little mountain town, but not too small for a Farragmo shop displaying the Fall collection.
Asolo
The main square in Asolo
Fountain in Asolo
Ferragamo Fall collection in an Asolo shop window
A single Vespa left in town after the departure of the motorcyclists
The joy of this area is the scenery and we soaked it in as we drove from Asolo to Maser. The Villa di Maser, a UNESCO site since 1996 is occupied by its current owners.
We toured the upper level open to the public with its beautiful frescoes painted by Paolo Veronese in the 16th century. The villas was built between 1550 and 1560 for the Barbaro brothers.
Villa di Maser
Villa Di Maser
View from inside the Villa di Maser
Paolo Veronese (1528 – 88): La moglie di Marcantonio Barbaro e Nutrice, Stanza dell’Olimpo in the Villa di Maser
My favorite frescoe in the house, from The Room Of The Little Dog, by Paolo Veronese, Stanza del cane, Villa di Maser
Presunto Autoritratto by Paolo Veronese
The Villa has its own vineyard and tasting room, where we sampled the extra dry and brut Prosecco. Our plans were to also tour the Villa Emo, but we happened upon that site during the afternoon lunch time, so it was closed.
Tasting Villa di Maser Prosecco
Back to the Villa Barberina and resting by the pool, which I found too cool to dip into, but not Augie.
Villa Emo, closed when we arrived for a visit
Villa Barberina vineyard
A Traveler's Photo Journal 